Our look is the result of reader comments, our own experimentation, and feedback from distribution channels. Distinctive covers complement our distinctive approach to technical topics, breathing personality and life into potentially dry subjects.

The tool on the cover of Ubuntu Hacks is a tuning fork. This device, used primarily to tune musical instruments, is a two-tined, U-shaped metal bar that emits a pure tone of a specific pitch when struck against an object. It was invented in the early 18th century by British musician John Shore, a trumpeter in the employ of King George I. The "pitch fork," as Shore referred to it, has endured in modern times as an extremely useful tool for orchestral musicians. Its sonic properties have also been harnessed for sundry purposes, ranging from timekeeping in quartz watches to sonopuncture therapy.

The cover image is a stock photo from Photodisc Images. The cover font is Adobe ITC Garamond. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Helvetica Neue Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont's TheSans Mono Condensed.